HOSPICE OF LIMESTONE COUNTY
Provider Information
- Address
- 405 SOUTH MARION STREET
ATHENS, AL 35611 - Ownership Type
- Other
- Medicare Certified Since
- February 9, 1989
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of August 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 17 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 3 |
31
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what HOSPICE OF LIMESTONE COUNTY reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2022.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how HOSPICE OF LIMESTONE COUNTY compares to hospices nationwide.
14 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 68th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
50
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day14 min
Ranks better than about 68% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends7.5%
Ranks better than about 45% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life98.2%
Ranks better than about 87% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits24.9%
Ranks better than about 84% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care10.6%
Ranks better than about 23% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months21.3%
Ranks better than about 86% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care17%
Ranks better than about 12% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice4.3%
Ranks better than about 14% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$15,266 · 35th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 9 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 89.8% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening99.5%
- Pain assessment100%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment98.4%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed100%
- Bowel care for patients on opioids100%
- Visits in the last days of life89.8%
- All care steps completed98.4%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer27%
- Dementia24%
- Heart and circulatory disease25%
- Lung and respiratory disease6%
- Stroke6%
- Other conditions14%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Hospice of Limestone County
Hospice of Limestone County serves families throughout the Athens, Alabama area. This freestanding hospice provider offers care designed for those with life-limiting illnesses. They focus on comfort, dignity, and support for patients and their loved ones. Since becoming Medicare certified in early 1989, they have provided care to the local community for over three decades. Choosing a hospice provider is a major decision for any family. This group operates as an independent provider rather than part of a large national chain. They work to meet the specific needs of residents in Limestone County. Families often look for providers with a long history of service in their own backyard. This organization has that local history on its side. It is worth looking into their care team to see if they fit your family goals.
About Hospice of Limestone County
This provider is a freestanding hospice located on South Marion Street in Athens. It is not owned by a large hospital system or a national corporation. That means they manage their own daily operations and staff. They have been certified by Medicare since 1989. This long period of certification shows a consistent history of meeting federal standards. Federal standards ensure that hospice programs provide specific types of care like pain management and emotional support. You should know that this provider maintains a dedicated team of 31 employees. This team includes 17 registered nurses and two physicians. They also work with three volunteers who assist with patient needs. Having a clear idea of the staff size helps you understand how they manage their daily workload. It is a solid team size for the area. You can call them directly at (256) 232-5017 to ask about their current capacity.
Top Quality Marks
What Is Hospice Care Like in Athens?
Hospice care in Alabama focuses on keeping patients comfortable in their own homes or local care facilities. When you choose a provider, you are choosing a team to support your daily life. This team usually includes nurses, doctors, and volunteers. Hospice of Limestone County relies on a staff of 17 registered nurses and two physicians. These medical professionals manage pain and symptoms so the patient can spend time with family. But they also offer non-medical support through their three volunteers. This blend of medical expertise and volunteer support is common in the Athens area. The goal is to provide care that respects the patient wishes. Each day, the staff works to ensure that family members feel supported as well. You will find that hospice care is about more than just medicine. It is about making every day count. That is the core of their mission in Limestone County.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
You should feel empowered to ask questions before picking a hospice agency. The right answers can give you peace of mind during a hard time. First, ask how quickly a nurse can get to your home if an emergency happens at night. Second, ask how the team manages pain and other difficult symptoms for their patients. Third, ask how often a nurse will visit your home each week. You might also ask how they support family members who are grieving. Knowing these details helps you understand what to expect. Do not be afraid to speak up and ask for clarity on any point. You deserve to understand the care plan before it begins. Take your time to get the information you need. A good provider will be happy to answer every single question you have.
Preserve Your Family Stories
Every life is full of unique stories and memories. Documenting these moments now can create a lasting gift for your children and grandchildren.
Start Preserving MemoriesOther Hospice Providers Nearby
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Helpful Guides for Families
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Understanding Medicare Hospice Benefit: A Family Guide
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10 Essential Hospice Questions for Evaluating Providers
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Some stories are worth writing down
Between the calls and the paperwork, many families wish they had asked more about the person at the center of it all. A recorded conversation, a favorite recipe, the story behind an old photo. Small things now can mean a great deal later. Our legacy guides show simple ways to start.